Composer Richard Francis

"...listening to a piece of music or a composer for the first time can be hard work. Not so here! In this double CD,
Paul Derrett champions the organ music of Richard Francis and, trust me, this is a worthy cause... from the earliest pieces,
he demonstrates a sure-footedness in writing for the organ and a stylistic confidence...I would gladly play or listen to any of the pieces."
David Saint Organists Review 2008 (review of "Mystical Vision")

Composer of orchestral, chamber, choral and organ music

This is the website of Richard Francis, composer of orchestral, chamber, choral and organ music. Winner of the 2001
Gregynog International Composition Award, Richard Francis studied with William Mathias. He writes compositions in a wide range of genres. On the compositions pages
you will be able to hear a number of sound samples from his pieces.

Richard Francis composes music that people want to hear and is prepared to adapt his style accordingly. He does not
sit in an ivory tower looking to the future and writing music that is incomprehensible to the many. His compositions
range from early 1960s to the present day and with a few exceptions are mainly tonal and accessible. He has written
many pieces for specific places such as the anthems, cantata, organ works and brass pieces for Langwasser (Nuremberg),
Germany.

His music also has been composed for specific individual performers such as pianist Duncan Honeybourne
(Fantasy Sonata, Characteristic Pieces,Sonata no.2) and organist Anthony Gritten ( A Celebration of St Denio). He has
also written music on a larger scale - a Piano Concerto, a Symphony and several suites for orchestra related to
folksongs. 2016 has seen the release of a new Duncan Honeybourne CD, "A Western Borderland", featuring Richard's Fantasy Sonata and Characteristic Pieces.

Much of his music is published by INTRADA of Holland ( www intradamusic.nl) and by his own FRANCISMUSIC
(www francismusic.co.uk) . He welcomes being contacted for commissions for orchestral music, choral music,
chamber music, church music, music for organ, piano or other instruments, music for celebrations, special events and festivals including Christmas.

Richard was born and raised in the beautiful Shropshire town of Ludlow featured in the slides above and many of his compositions relate to particular landscapes.
He has also been inspired to compose by artworks, friends and tragic events such as 9/11. He has an extensive knowledge of the work of other
composers such as Bach and Mozart and has adapted a number of their orchestral works for the organ.